Development of Ancient Copper Smelting to Ironmaking

The ancient copper smelting was simulated to produce molten Cu–Fe alloys without Fe lump from Chile copper ore powder and limonite powder at 1300 to 1350°C. Using the same furnaces and the same conditions of operation for copper smelting, the ancient ironmaking was performed to produce molten Fe–C alloy. The atmosphere in the furnaces was controlled by the redox reaction of Fe and FeO. For the copper smelting, the oxygen partial pressure was higher than the equilibrium value of Fe and FeO, and for the ironmaking it was lower than the equilibrium value. From these aspects, the technical continuity from ancient copper smelting to ironmaking was clarified.